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Housing

New Help with rent for families with children

Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) | Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Human Resources Administration (HRA)

1. How it Works

FHEPS is a rent supplement for families who have been evicted, are facing eviction, or have lost housing due to domestic violence. Families must be receiving Cash Assistance (CA) to be eligible. Families who have lost housing because of health or safety issues, or from certain court decisions may also be eligible for FHEPS.

Update: Families who are at risk of eviction for late rent will need to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) first.

  • You can use FHEPS to remain in your home, move within New York City, or move out of shelter if you have already lost your home
    • You must be able to remain in the home you find for at least 12 months
  • Many families will have their entire rent covered by FHEPS and their Cash Assistance shelter allowance
    • The amount FHEPS will pay depends on your household’s income and the number of people in your household
  • You may have to pay part of the rent if:
    • If you or someone you share your home with has income
    • If your household includes someone who is not required to be on your Cash Assistance case, such as someone who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  • FHEPS may pay a part of unpaid late rent for any period of time when the family lived in an apartment.
  • Eligible families can get FHEPS for up to 5 years.
    • You can apply for an extension if you still need help
    • Your household must meet all eligibility requirements and prove that you have a good cause
  • The FHEPS payment will stop if any of the following happens:
    • Your family no longer has a Cash Assistance case
    • Your family no longer has a child under 18 years old
    • Your family no longer a child under 19 years old who is a full-time student regularly attending high school or a vocational or technical training program
  • You must be a US citizen or have satisfactory immigration status

Next section:

2. Determine Your Eligibility

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2. Determine your eligibility

Your family must include one of the following:

  • A child under 18 years of age
  • A child under 19 years of age who is enrolled full-time in high school or a vocational or technical training program
  • A pregnant woman

Your family must also have one of the following apply:

Your family must also meet one of the following:

  • You are in HRA shelter
  • You are in DHS shelter and eligible for HRA shelter
  • You are in DHS shelter and were evicted* in NYC sometime in the year before you entered shelter
  • You are currently in the process of being evicted or were evicted* in NYC within the last 12 months

*Evicted can mean:

  • An eviction proceeding against you or the person on the lease for your home
  • A foreclosure action for your building or home
  • A determination by a City agency that you must leave your building or home because of health or safety reasons.

Next section:

3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

Your caseworker will work with you to collect information.

Next section:

4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply in person

Update: Families who are at risk of eviction for late rent will need to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) first.

  • If you are not in a shelter and you are at risk of eviction or homelessness, apply for Cash Assistance.
    • To apply online, visit www.nyc.gov/accesshra or use the ACCESS HRA mobile app to submit your application.
    • You may also apply by mail or in person. Visit the Cash Assistance guide to learn how.
    • Call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 if you have a medical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to apply for Cash Assistance.
  • If you are in a shelter, your shelter housing specialist / case manager will explain FHEPS in more detail and help you in your search for an apartment.
    • Families in shelter who are approved for FHEPS may be eligible to receive a furniture allowance. Work with your case manager to arrange for moving assistance.
    • Landlords will receive one month full rent and an additional three months’ rent supplement up-front. Landlords also receive a security voucher.

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More ways to get help with this program

Visit the website

Learn more about FHEPS.

Call 311

If you’re at risk of eviction or homelessness, call 311 and ask about a Homebase location closest to your address, what to bring, and what you can expect at your meeting.

Call HRA

Families who have left an HRA shelter should call HRA at 929-221-7270 to be connected to their local community-based nonresidential program.

In person

If you live in a shelter, contact your case manager or housing specialist.

Last Updated Tuesday, August 17th, 4:26pm

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